Keri Blackledge, 16, of Costa Mesa, California, and her buckskin Quarter Horse, Sundance Dun It, were named the 2004 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Reining Seat Medal Champion on Saturday night, April 24, at the Del Mar National Horse Show.

The USAE Reining Seat Medal Class was judged on each exhibitor's riding form and ability to perform traditional reining patterns. The competition is open to junior and amateur riders showing any breed of horse. Qualifying classes were held throughout the country. The finals were held over two rounds of competition with scores from both rounds combined to determine the champion.

For winning the 2004 USEF Reining Seat Medal Finals, Blackledge will have her name engraved on the Glenn Gimple Perpetual Bronze Trophy. In addition, Blackledge will have her name added to the Adrian Van Sinderen Trophy for being the High Score Junior Exhibitor and the “My Midnight Special” trophy for the Highest Scoring Cumulative Reining Pattern. Champion accolades included a custom made Champion saddle and custom buckle from Broken Horse Saddlery, a wool Champion Cooler from Triple Crown Custom and the prestigious USEF Medal. This was Keri’s first year to compete in the Finals and she is trained by Brenda Brown.

The Westland Farms Reining Seat Medal Sportsmanship trophy was awarded to Rebecca Lamalfa of Scottsdale, Arizona and the Youngest Rider trophy was awarded to Kailey King, 13, of Fullerton, California.

Supporters for the event included the Pacific Coast Horse Association, Arabian Reining Horse Association, Breyer Model Horses, Renee Baker Performance Horses, Larry and Poncie Gimple, Mr and Mrs. Larry Hoffman, Hollwedel Family, Westland Farms, and the Bailey Family

USEF founded the equitation medal program in 1937 under the guidance of its fourth president, Adrian Van Sinderen. For the first decade, the Saddle Seat, Hunter Seat and Stock Seat disciplines all competed together in the same ring for the Adrian Van Sinderen Trophy in the American Horse Show Association Equitation Medal Finals. In 1948, the Stock Seat Medal, now the USEF Reining Seat Medal, became a separate event from the Saddle Seat and Hunter Seat Medals.

Results:

Champion Keri Blackledge Simi Valley, CA

Reserve Kailey King Fullerton, CA

3rd Paige Montgomery Goodlettsville, TN

4th Tonna Brooks Canby, OR

5th Dana Geatty Upland, CA

6th Debbie Bartman Alamo, CA

7th Rebecca Lamalfla Scottsdale, AZ

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